Copts in the village of Ashrouba, in the Beni Mazar district of Minya, have been reporting recurrent harassment against them at various times. After facing assaults last year and having their homes attacked due to everyday disputes, a reconciliation session was held back then to ease tensions. However, on November 5, a Coptic family faced another attack by some local youths using bladed weapons, which resulted in injuries to three Copts. One of the victims suffered serious wounds from being struck with a blade, and all three were taken to the hospital.
A resident from the Coptic community in the village stated that the village has been experiencing a tense atmosphere for some time. He explained that even minor, daily-life incidents could easily escalate into crises. For instance, two days ago, a dispute arose between a Copt and another local resident during a routine shopping interaction. When the Coptic individual later went out in the village, he was attacked and sustained injuries, and was subsequently taken to the local pharmacy for treatment. Soon after, at least four individuals armed with swords stormed into the pharmacy, assaulting everyone inside and injuring Amir Narouz Gabr, Abanoub Narouz Gabr, and Hanna Magdy Malak Shahat. The injured were then transferred to Minya University Hospital.
The witness added that this incident has deepened the feelings of fear and anxiety among the Copts in the village, raising concerns of a repeat of last year’s assaults, and especially for their children, as all the village’s Coptic children attend schools located on the far side of the village, separate from their homes. The village itself is divided into two parts, with the Coptic residents concentrated in one area.
During the reconciliation session held last year, the Copts had requested the establishment of a bakery and a school within the Coptic area to reduce friction and prevent harassment from those causing disturbances in the village. Several proposals were presented to address these issues, but none were implemented, although a small police presence has been maintained in the village since last year’s incidents.
The Coptic community is calling for fundamental solutions to manage the situation, emphasizing the need to promote love, tolerance, and acceptance in order to reduce harassment and tension, which periodically lead to violent incidents. They pointed out that security measures alone are insufficient and called for a community-level intervention to encourage dialogue, support shared activities, counteract hate speech, and –quite importantly- to enforce the law through holding perpetrators accountable rather than relying on reconciliation sessions or pressuring the Coptic side to accept settlements.
Another source mentioned that the police have arrested some of the assailants, are taking legal measures against them, and are monitoring the condition of the injured while also implementing precautionary measures in the village to ensure security.
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